deank93

Buy a different car. Far more interesting long term, IMHO.

That's defo an option....15k to 18k...what would you go for?

The LSX conversion it just going to be rather expensive over a cammed LS2 conversion though isn't it?

Dyno Tourqe in Brum mentioned around 10k for the LS2.

If it was me, I would get a 370 and supercharge it

That's an interesting thought...prices are coming down on 370s and what would the likes of abbey charge for the GTM charget? 10k?....that's 25k for a unique 550bhp modern sports car.

I'm just throwing this scenario out there and I'd would be interested in what you would do and why you would do it....

So...I have a 313 which I am rather keen on and these are options that I am giving consideration to:

1 - GTM supercharge my Zed

2 - V8 LS2 conversion

3 - Get a 370

4 - Get a Cayman/Z4M/VXR8 etc

5 - Open to suggestions

I'm torn...a small part of me (the inner 18 year old) really likes it....but the bigger part of me thinks it looks a like to much of a Barry wagon.

 

But for a 4.5 year old zed with an about average mileage of 35k

I'd have thought 35k on a 4 and half year old car made it a low miler...50k would have made it about average.

Doesn't evo magazine have the HR officially timed at 13 seconds dead to 100....which is pretty impressive.

Agreed, thanks for taking the time to break it down for an automotive div like me.

A question I asked a few times when this topic was raised with regard to rx7's, if you want a v8 why not just buy a car with a v8? There are plenty of options, all shapes and sizes with something for everyone. I personal feel its a very American thing to chuck a v8 into anything and everything as they are two a penny, but over here, it just doesnt make financial sense.

I get what you're saying...but as mcuh as i do love the sound and performance of a V8 and the LS is in the monaro and VXR8 i'm not overly keen on the look or the weight, I love the way the 350 looks and I love the way the V8 sounds so combining the 2 would be a cracking mix if it can be done right and perform like stock.

But on the flip side if i put on my sensible head, which i tend to do a lot more now i'm a bit older, when it comes to pound notes just getting something like a well modded VXR8 would make sense.

I have seriously toyed with modding the 350 in the last 2 years of ownership but this sensible side that i was not aware of in my 20's rears it's ugly head!

Getting the new motor running and talk to the stock can bus system is easy.

 

Use a Syvecs S8 ECU configure the custom can from the Syvecs to talk to the stock ambush circuit via canbus box and your dash/heater BCM will all work like a stock car.

 

Full traction control as well.

I've read this 4 times now....and i literally have no idea what 90% of these words mean

Sweet baby Jesus!!!!

I was under the impression it was more like 100kg, hopefully I am completely wrong though.

and if you were feeling flush you could always pop a turbo or charger on it at a later date so i guess it is a route that provides a lot more long term potential than charging the 3.5 lump.

You could do the entire swap on or around £10k.

 

And that is what makes the conversion such a temptation...I think putting the GTM supercharger on an HR model plus exhaust etc is about 12k isn't it? so 10k drive in and 2 weeks later drive out with the devil himself living under the bonnet and 400bhp on tap makes for a very interesting alternative.

ooops...I replied before I read the rest of the thread.

Crate engine is £10K

Conversion parts call £5K

Labour on top, call it another £3K - £5K depending on exactly what you want done

 

Budget that and you may even have a bit to play with at the end too. Certainly that's what I was looking at when i was considering it.

Where are you shopping for a crate engine for 10k?, unless i'm missing something you'd be looking at less than half that for an LS2 and I'm sure the conversion kit is wayyyy less than 5k.

Wasso, just so I'm clear, for a numpty like myself who has no mechanical knowledge based on your research to date roughly what would you expected someone would need to spend on a drive in and drive out LS2 conversion?....maybe with a cheeky set of cams for lumpy idle and 450bhp of side ways fun.

It'd have to be supercharged if I actually do it one day

Monkfish do a supercharger on the 6 litre LS2 that if i remember correctly produces 600 bhp.

Topcats are well know for quite a few TVR LS conversions so must of solved the RHD/LHD problem

 

http://www.topcatsra....com/servicing/

They sound like they know there stuff, the article on the LS3 into the TVR is a good read...they quote 10k to 12k and the LS3 will be more expensive than the earlier models.

Difference between the LS1/2 and the LSA Ian?

 

Numbers lol.

 

A number of factors for the 1 and 2, engine displacement, 2 has more power than the 1, but factor in the LS3 with more power. Each block produces varying power based on either NA mods or whether you want to go FI.

 

The LSA is a derivative of the LS9, and comes supercharged. It originates from the Cadillac CTS-V which has a recorded 0-60 of 3.9 seconds. It has 551ftlb of torque and can run on 92 RON, ha ha.

 

I was hoping to do it this year but with the epic proportions of saving its now going to be next year. I've got the location for build, parts already lined up and a wealth of support and advice on tap from a chap who runs a 1000hp LS2 twin turbo LS2.

Jesus!....now that sounds like a plan!

I can't help but think a sticky specifically to store V8 conversion info would be a handy addition to the forum, that way anyone with turbo/supercharger money to spend would have easy access to plenty of info.

I'm planning and have decided on the lump I'll go for which is the LSA.

 

There's a company in Cannock that can source everything GM related, and well spotted with Monkfish. Lexx was the one who put me in contact with them and for the last six months been working on the "plan".

 

I'm estimating around £10-15k tops. The LS1/2/3 is a lot cheaper to do but I want to go one step further.

Regarding the cost, i was thinking around the 10k mark but then you have the bonus of selling on your engine and gear box which would be a nice little off set.

if it were to come in around the 10k mark then this would make the conversion a tempting alternative with the GTM super charger on HR model cars (I'm not sure on the super charger on the older models.)

I've been looking into this for about 6 months, and the few companies that I've asked all seem to say the same thing along the lines of:

 

"Problems with LHD engine and gearbox into a RHD are the limiting factors, which I don't think anyone in the UK has overcome yet"

 

I'm so tempted to do it, but won't be for a while yet

If dyno torque are getting the LS and T56 in to the likes of BMW's, TVR's and RX7's surely the 350 shouldn't be an issue should it?

PS - Did the spoiler arrive OK?

I do love the idea of an LS V8 conversion on the 350, it seems fairly common in the states and wondered if anyone in the UK had got round to doing one yet?

The last time i read a thread about it no one had and if that is still the case I'm just surprised no one has yet especially when so many on the site seem to be mechanically capable and even if your not there are companies like dyno torque in the midlands http://www.dynotorque.co.uk/ and sikky in the states http://sikky.com/

Is anyone planning one? or has anyone seriously looked into it and priced the conversion up either DIY or via a garage? there seem to be a few companies in the UK that can ship the LS1 or LS2 and the T56 gear box and tuners that can get the best from the lazy lump such as http://www.monkfishperformance.co.uk/, cams seem to work a treat.

Video clips like this must be tempting someone out there

Looks lovely....universal silver cleans up a treat.